Bathing apparatus



F. L. REMER.

BATHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 17, 1915.

1,1 95,729. Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

UNITED TATE PATENT @FFIQE.

IBA'IHING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

Application filed November 17, 1915. Serial No. 61,944.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FERNANDO L. REMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beaver Dams, in the county of Schuyler and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bathing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in baths and closets and more specifically to bathing apparatus.

In connection with this application reference is made to a previous application filed upon the same subject matter on March 3rd, 1915, Serial No. 11,750.

The object of my invention is to provide a bathing apparatus that accomplishes the dual purpose of a vigorous bath and a cleansing bath in one operation. The former is had by duplicating the rubdown of a Turkish bath without the necessity for the services of an attendant, and the cleansing feature is provided for by means of a coarse rubbing element which can be used with any degree of friction desired. By the use of my apparatus, the bather gets a great deal of healthful physical exercise that he would probably not get except that it is made to form a part of the bathing operation. Furthermore, the use of my apparatus not only gives a better, more invigorating,

and more stimulating bath than can be ob' tained by any other means or method, but is a great time saver, in that a complete bath can be taken in about one half the time usually consumed in bathing.

A further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus adaptable for use in taking various kinds of baths other than the ordinary water bath, such as, medicated, vapor, steam, salt, or ice baths. In a medicated bath the external application may be applied to the rubbing element only, thereby resulting in an economy in the materlal used; the same is true of the salt bath. In a vapor or steam bath, the vapor or steam is so controlled that a comparatively small amount thereof will accomplish the purpose as well as a much greater amount used my any other method. In an ice bath, the ice is packed beneath the rubbing element in such manner that the exhilarating effect of the ice is procured without physical contact therewith.

Other objects of this invention not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the detailed description and drawings forming a part of this specification.

Furthermore, this invention consists in the novel arrangement and combination of parts more particularly described in the following specification and embodied in the claims appended hereto and forming a part of this application.

Referring now to the drawings, which are merely illustrative of my invention, Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of my improved form of bath apparatus applied to a bath tub. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectionalview of the same taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the fabric retention rollers showing the fabric as applied thereto, the ratchet guard being shown in section. Fig. l is a detail view of the oppositely disposed fabric retention roller.

Referring further to the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the respective views, a bath tub of any suitable construction is generally designated by 1. At a certain distance from the bottom of the tub, at both ends and on both sides thereof are mounted roller bearings 2, said bearings being adapted to receive the ends of fabric retention rollers 3 disposed along the inner sides of the tub. Each of said rollers 3 is formed with a squared portion 4 near the 7 end adjacent the head of the tub, the balance of the roller being provided with a plurality of upstanding pins 5 laterally disposed in spaced apart relation thereon. A ratchet wheel 6 is mounted on the roller adjacent the bearing 2 at the head of the tub, and a guard member 7 is secured to said bearing adapted to form a protection against contact with said ratchet wheel. A pawl 8 is pivoted to said guard and is adapted to cooperate with said ratchet wheel.

A rubbing element 9, preferably consisting of a coarse fabric, is secured along both of its longer sides, by means of pins 5, to the oppositely disposed retention rollers 3. The rollers are then revolved in opposite direction so that a certain portion of both of the longer sides of said rubbing element 9 will be wound thereon. The squared portion 4 of said rollers is adapted to receive a wrench, not shown, whereby the rubbing element may be stretched perfectly taut and retained in that condition by means of the oppositely disposed ratchet wheels.

iii handle 10 is secured to the head of the tu In operation, the rubbing element, or coarse fabric, being stretched taut between the rollers, water is admitted to the tub; the

bather lies prone upon the rubbing element 1 and by grasping the handle 10 is enabled to propel himself forwardly and backwardly over the said element. By assuming various positions he is thus enabled to bathe the entire body. 7 I s p The utility, adaptability, and advantages of my improved form of bathing apparatus being obvious, it is unnecessary to further enlarge upon the same herein. a 7

Having now described and pointed out the new and useful features of my invention, I do not limit myself to the shape of certain parts where the shape is not essential, nor do I restrict myself to the exact de tails of construction shown and described,

but mean and intend to claim all equivalents and variations thereof not departing in principle from my invention and falling Within the purview of the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a bathing apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of rollers secured to the inner sides of a bath tub, a supporting member, said supporting member interposed between said rollers,

means for stretching said supporting member taut, and means forkeeping said supporting member in a taut state.

2. In a bathing apparatus of the character described, in combination, a roller secured to the inner side of a bath tub, a supporting member secured to said roller, a roller oppositely disposed with respect to said, first named roller, means for securing said supporting member to said second named roller, means for stretching said supporting member taut, and means for keeping said supporting member in a taut state.

3. In a bathing apparatus, the combination of oppositely disposed fabric retention rollers said rollers mounted upon the longer sides inside of a bath tub, a fabric interposed between said rollers, and means secured to said rollers adapted to maintain said fabric in a taut condition. A

I, In a bathing apparatus, the combina tion of oppositely disposed fabric retention rollers mounted inside of a bath tub, a ratchet mechanism secured to the end of said rollers, a squared portion formed on said rollers adjacent said ratchet mechanism, fabric holding means formed upon said 1-011- ers and a fabric interposed between said rollers.

5. In a bathing apparatus, in combination, a bathtub, a plurality of roller bearings mounted upon the l'enger' sides inside of said tub, a roller mounted in said bearings on both, sides; of said tub, a ratchet wheel secured to one end of said roller adjacent oneof said bearings, a guard member mounted on said: bearing adapted to partially cover said ratchet wheel, a pawl secured to said. guarda'dapted to cooperate with said ratchet wheel, a sqiiared portion formed on on'e end of said roller adapted to receive a wrench, a plurality of pins laterally disposed upon said ro1ler, a1 1d a bodysi'ip'poi' ting element interposed between said rollers.

In' testimony whereof I affix my signature hereto; l

FERNANDO I). REMER'.

Copies of this patent may obtained for five ecn'ts each, aiiiirese iig the Commissioner or Patefiti} v WashingtonQD. G. 

